Integrated visualization system

Abstract

An endoscope that has an integrated light source and camera mounted at the distal end of the endoscope. The light source is a class of LED devices constructed of high-efficiency LEDs that emit narrow-band blue light coupled with phosphors, which cause a nearly natural “white” light to be emitted. The LEDs are coupled to a waveguide for transmission of the light to the distal end of the endoscope.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A video endoscope comprising: 
 a) a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the tube comprising: 
 i) a video camera; and  
 ii) a light guide;  
   b) a white light source proximal to the video camera and optically coupled to a proximal end of the light guide; and    c) a power supply connected to the video camera and the white light source.    
     
     
         2 . The video endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the white light source comprises at least one LED.  
     
     
         3 . The video endoscope of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one LED comprises a plurality of photodiodes contained within a single package.  
     
     
         4 . The video endoscope of  claim 2 , wherein the white light source comprises a collection of red, blue and green LEDs in a ratio such that the resultant emitted light is perceived to be white.  
     
     
         5 . The video endoscope of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of photodiodes comprises a collection of red, blue and green LEDs in a ratio such that the resultant emitted light is perceived to be white.  
     
     
         6 . The video endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the white light source comprises at least one tungsten bulb.  
     
     
         7 . The video endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the light guide comprises at least one connected segment.  
     
     
         8 . The video endoscope of  claim 7 , wherein the light guide is comprised of a single molded piece.  
     
     
         9 . The video endoscope of  claim 7 , wherein one connected segment is a phosphorescent material.  
     
     
         10 . The video endoscope of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality connected segments is composed of a graded index optical material.  
     
     
         11 . The videoscope of  claim 5 , wherein the connected segments are comprised of optical fibers.  
     
     
         12 . The videoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the power supply is comprised of at least one battery.  
     
     
         13 . A video endoscope comprising: 
 a) a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end comprising a video camera and a light guide, the light guide comprising: 
 i) a collimator segment; and 
 a transmission segment distal to the collimator segment and having a smaller cross section than the collimator segment and is distal to the collimator segment; and  
 
   b) a white light source integrated within the tube and optically coupled to the collimator segment of the light guide.    
     
     
         14 . The videoscope of  claim 13  wherein, the white light source comprises at least one LED.  
     
     
         15 . The videoscope of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one LED comprises a plurality of photodiodes contained within a single package.  
     
     
         16 . The videoscope of  claim 13 , wherein the white light source comprises at least one tungsten bulb.  
     
     
         17 . The videoscope of  claim 13 , wherein the collimator segment further comprises a collimation angle less than 60 degrees.  
     
     
         18 . The videoscope of  claim 13 , wherein the light guide is comprised of a single molded piece.